Colonial Retirement members receive HLDAA award: 7% over two years

The 34 members working at Colonial Retirement in Whitby are happy to finally have their well overdue raises following an interest arbitration award. The employer had been unwilling to agree to 3.5% in wage increases per year for two years, so the Union Negotiating Committee had to make use of the Hospital Labour Disputes Arbitration Act (HLDAA) to secure a fair deal.

While the HLDAA system is, at times, necessary, it often leaves members lagging behind as they wait for arbitration hearings. The awards from HLDAA then have members playing catch-up over and over again, simply because employers are unwilling to bargain fair agreements at the table.

The result of this award for the members at Colonial Retirement was the 3.5% per year for two years that the Union Negotiating Committee had been seeking in the first place. The first 3.5% increase will be paid retroactively for hours worked since March 1, 2025, and second 3.5% increases will be paid retroactively for hours worked since March 1, 2026.

In addition, members will benefit from RRSP-matching improvements, which will see the employer make matching contributions up to 3% instead of the previous 2%.

Union Negotiating Committee: Kamilla Stein and Union Representative Mike Windley.

Read more Negotiation Updates from the Local 175 HOPE Sector! What’s HOPE? It stands for Health, Office & Professional Employees.

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